Revision as of 12:30, 2 November 2006

Most of the information presented on this page (and much, much more) is available on the ALA Office for Accreditation (OA) web site. Follow the links from this page to the OA site if you really want to learn in-depth about the accreditation process or read some of the documents referenced here. The point of this page is to present some of that same information in less formal language (sorry, there will still be a lot of acronyms), and to address the most common concerns and misperceptions that students express about the accreditation process.

Purpose and overview of ALA-accreditation

The purpose of ALA-accreditation is to ensure quality, innovation, and value in LIS education. Accreditation is voluntary and nongovernmental. ALA accreditiation is a process that combines peer review with self-review by the individual MLIS programs. ALA only the accredits the first professional degree in library and information studies, which is the Master's degree. The ALA Standards for Accreditation of Master's Programs in Library and Information Studiesprovides the basis for the accreditation process.